SC grants Bisen interim stay on Lokayukta probe

BHOPAL: Supreme Court on Monday granted an interim stay to state farmers' welfare and agricultural development minister Gaurishankar Chaturbhuj Bisen. Madhya Pradesh high court had recently in an order issued for a Lokayukta inquiry against Bisen.
Inquiry was ordered on June 20 by Chief Justice of MPHC Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar and Justice Alok Aradhe following a petition by former MLA Kishore Samrite, who alleged minister had amassed Rs 2,000 crore worth property in kin's name over the past two decades.
Plea, submitted about two years back, was accompanied by copies of affidavits submitted by Bisen during elections. Samrite demanded a probe by Central Bureau of Investigation.
PIL alleged since 1994 Bisen has amassed huge wealth in the name of his family members and relatives in Balaghat, Pune and Bhopal to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore. Samrite claimed it was not possible for any person to amass such a huge wealth without resorting to corrupt means.
Samrite also enclosed a list of properties Bisen had submitted to Election Commission from 2003-2011. During hearing of the PIL, when no one appeared from Bisen's side, the court appointed two senior lawyers, Naman Nagrath and A P Shrotiya as amicus curiae to assist the court in the matter.
Court had also issued a notice to home secretary on the issue. Samrite alleged Bisen had purchased a flat worth lakhs in Pune in the name of his daughter, land worth Rs 2.5 crore in front of Balaghat collector's residence in fictitious name, another land worth Rs 91 lakh in Balaghat in the name of his wife.